Sure the Bears might not be in the Super Bowl this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch and enjoy the game! As you watch the game, you want to be comfortable and your friends at Walter E. Smithe are here to help! We have some great living room pieces that we think you’ll love. Read on to learn more!

Van Dyke Sectional

A modern look that has become a classic! Our Van Dyke sectional is available in many sectional formations. It is the perfect fit for contemporary tastes.

Dean Leather Sectional

The Dean leather sectional is a favorite Chicago leather couch and will provide years of style and comfort. The rich brown leather is timeless and the piece is accented with antique bronze nail heads. A Dean sofa, chair, and ottoman are also available.

Godfrey Sofa

The ultimate in home theater seating, the Godfrey Sofa is designed for people who want to live life on a grand scale. The Godfrey is standard with luxurious down seats and scatter backs which devour you in unbelievable comfort. In short, it is the most incredible seating experience of your life and perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!

And don’t forget to tell us – who will you be cheering for?

1. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots
2. Eli Manning and the New York Giants
3. I don’t care who wins, I just want to see the commercial

For more information on any of the couches from this week’s blog, head on in to one of our many locations and talk to one of the knowledgeable furniture experts. We would love to help you pick your next living room set and we hope to see you soon!

With the holidays right around the corner, we’ve got a lot on our minds at Walter E. Smithe, your office furniture leader. But one things that always comes to mind when thinking about the holidays is our all-time favorite holiday tale – A Christmas Story.

This year we’d like to give you a chance to experience this classic Christmas story in an all new way and we’re offering you a chance to win two tickets to A Christmas Story The Musical! That’s not all though – the lucky winners will also receive their very own leg lamp!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFIIUiJWWTY

What could look better next to your Chicago leather couch?

Become one of the lucky twelve winners and enter today! You can enter to win in the store, online at this link, or by US Mail. For more details, visit our website or one of our many locations.

So bundle up and come see us at Walter E. Smithe!

The kick off to summer is finally here! How are you going to mark the occasion? If you haven’t decided what to do this weekend, your friends here at Walter E. Smithe are here with some ideas.

1. Honor our veterans – The first and most important thing to do this weekend is to honor the men, women, and families who support this country, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There are many ways you can do this: Writing a letter to a veteran or deployed soldier, attending a Memorial Day service in your local area, or simply saying “Thank you” to someone who was or is a member of our armed services. These folks give up so much for our country and we want them to know they are not forgotten!
   
2. Cook out with your family – what better way to kick off summer than with an outdoor barbeque? If you need new furniture to help you entertain guests, consider our Century Leisure collection. The Andalusia Royal Lounge Chair and Ottoman pictured here make a great set!
3. Watch the Indy 500 – this weekend also happens to be the weekend of the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ Held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, this year’s event marks the 100th anniversary of the famous Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
4. Shop Walter E. Smithe’s Memorial Day Sale – after the Indy 500 is over, take a cue from the cars and race in to one of our seven locations to take advantage of some big savings! If you’re in the market for a Chicago leather couch, consider the Hawthorne Leather Sofa for $1899. We also have great dining room and bedroom furniture. For example, we have the Summit seven-piece dining set for $1929. As always, there are three great ways to save: 10% cash/check discount, 30 months waived interest charges/equal payments on Smithe Card, or 5% discount with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Act fast because the furniture sale ends May 31^st.

Everyone here at Walter E. Smithe wants to thank our troops and hopes you enjoy yourself this Memorial Day weekend. We look forward to seeing you in one of our showrooms soon!

It seems everyone’s got a bit of royal wedding fever these days, even the Smithe brothers! To honor the upcoming royal nuptials, they are offering some Royal Savings, but only through May 1^st so you need to stop in soon to take advantage of this great opportunity!

During the Royal Savings Sale, every shopper will receive a scratch-off card and every card is a winner with prizes reaching up to $5000! The scratch-off card isn’t the only way to save. During this furniture sale, shoppers can also get 10% off all cash or check purchases, 24-months waived Finance Charges/Equal Payments with their Smithe card, or 5% off with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card. Those deals are hard to beat!

If you’ve got royal wedding fever like the Smithe brothers, then you’re probably planning to watch the big event at home. You may have even invited your closest friends to come share the experience with you. But have you thought about what you’re going to watch the wedding on? Do you have a living room set that’s comfortable and capable of accommodating several people? If not, then we have some great options for you!

The Dean Leather Sectional

This Chicago leather couch is great for entertaining and will also provide years of style and comfort. The rich brown leather is timeless and is accented by antique bronze nail heads. To add more to your living room, also consider the Dean sofa, chair, and ottoman which are all excellent pieces!

The Godfrey Sofa

Get ready for the most incredible seating experience of your life! This piece is the ultimate in home theater seating and is perfect for watching your favorite movies, TV shows, sporting events, and even weddings. Luxurious down seats and scatter backs come standard.

The Van Dyke Sectional

This modern design is quickly becoming a classic favorite! The sectional is available in a variety of formations that can adapt to any room and is a perfect fit for contemporary tastes.

Don’t let yourself be unprepared for the next big event whether that be another royal wedding, a holiday, or the next Super Bowl. Stop in to any one of our conveniently located store rooms and take advantage of the Royal Savings Sales now through May 1^st!

The first time day of spring is right around the corner and we all know what means – spring cleaning! Normally I don’t LOVE cleaning, but when it means that we can put winter behind us, I am all about it. Your leading furniture retailer, Walter E. Smithe, wants to remind you to not neglect your furniture during your spring cleaning this year! Whether it’s your leather couch, your reupholstered dining room chairs, or your dining room table, they all need to be cleaned. Today we’ll focus on your Chicago leather couch.

When you do set out to clean your leather furniture, it is of the utmost importance that you follow our cleaning guidelines in order to be eligible for your warranty coverage. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us but here’s a look at what our guidelines for cleaning leather consist of.

Damage

While we hope this never happens, we do have some good news. Major stains, minor cuts, and abrasions can often be removed for a fee. If you have questions regarding damage to your furniture, contact your warranty services representative for assistance.

Smooth leathers

If you use your couch a great deal, smooth leather is the best choice because it is easier to clean. You should remove dust and minor soiling with a damp cloth once a month, but never use saddle soap.  Contact your warranty services supervisor for further cleaning instructions.

Nubeck and Suede leathers

These are the most absorbent leathers and as a result are the most difficult to clean. Because of this, extreme care should always be practiced! If there is a stain, we have special stain eraser cloths available, but even these can’t remove all stains from suede. In general, suede can’t be washed or cleaned and you should never use a liquid cleaner on your suede leather! To maintain your piece, gently vacuum once a month with the appropriate tool or brush.

For more helpful tips to assist you during your spring cleaning this year, stop into any one of our locations! Not only do we want to sell you the best Chicago contemporary furniture, but we want to make sure that furniture continues to look its best throughout its long life. We hope to see you here soon!

Among the variety of collections we are proud to feature at Walter E. Smithe is the Copeland Collection, by America’s pre-eminent architect Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition to being an architect, Wright was also a talented interior designer and we know you’ll love his furniture designs as much as we do!

Frank Lloyd Wright once said “I believe a house is more a home by being a work of art” and this sentiment truly shines through in this collection. The Copeland furniture collection shares Wright’s passion for the natural world, his appreciation for simple, beautiful furnishings, and his insistence that excellent design be part of every home. The pieces are all simple, clean, and timeless and all emulate the genius designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. Here’s a look at a few pieces from the Copeland collection that we feature here at Walter E. Smithe:

OAK PARK SOFA

This Chicago leather coach is part of the Oak Park Spindle Box seating collection. The sofa is cozy, yet stylish, and features top grain leathers. It will fit seamlessly in any environment! Its dimensions are 69 3/8” x 29 7/8” x 34 1/2” H.

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MEYER MAY QUEEN BED

The Copeland solid wood panel bed incorporates sophisticated lines and superior craftsmanship. The bed is available in Queen, King and California King sizes. Customers can choose solid oak or cherry and it’s available in four finishes. There’s even a great Copeland nightstand that can be paired with the bed! The bed’s dimensions are 64 3/4” x 86 3/4” x 56 1/4” H.

DANA THOMAS BUFFET

Featuring ample drawer storage and a softly lit stemware rack, this buffet is a great addition to your dining room. The buffet offers form and function and can be selected in solid oak or cherry in four finishes. Its dimensions are 94” x 19 1/4” x 42” H and it can be seen pictured here.

By choosing the Oak Park Sofa, the Meyer May Queen Bed, the Dana Thomas Buffet, or any of the other Copeland furniture pieces, customers will turn their house into both a home and a work of art! All the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired pieces can be found at your favorite furniture stores in Chicago, Walter E. Smithe! Visit any one of showrooms  to learn more!

Who doesn’t love a leather sofa? They are classic, comfortable and wear well. They also can be pricey. That’s why it’s important to find exactly the perfect piece for your lifestyle – one that can survive your style shifts for years to come.

Furniture stores in Chicago carry a wide selection of leather couches, some top-grade and some not so much. You will find only the finest selections at Walter E. Smithe and current featured leather couches in their showroom include one straight classic and one that’s a bit on the trendy side.

Chicago leather couch buyers should look for a high grade of leather that will last in addition to choosing a piece that is comfortable. The Dean leather sectional in the Walter E. Smithe showroom offers both comfort and durability. Available in a rich brown tone, the antique bronze nail heads complete the picture of a perfect place to enjoy a cigar and cognac, read a good book or just watch the game. This collection also includes a leather chair and ottoman.

For those whose tastes run more toward the modern, the Natalie sofa is a curvier piece that can be customized in your choice of leather (or fabric) and even the base, arm and seat style can be modified for the look you want. The Natalie collection is available to Chicago leather couch buyers in a sectional, loveseat, chair and ottoman.

Not only will you find beautiful leather collections in their showroom, but your choice of many fabric pieces in all styles. Your shopping experience here will be fun and fabulous. Whether you are ready to buy today or just beginning your furniture scouting, the staff will help you complete your vision for a beautiful home.

Of all the furniture stores in Chicago, Walter E. Smithe strives to be the best at customer service and has professional staff available to help you choose new pieces for your home or even reupholster your favorite, well-loved pieces to like-new condition. They will complete your piece in two weeks or less and even offer pick-up and delivery service and loaner furniture.

If you love travel, are drawn to exotic décor or just want to liven up a room in your home, you might consider the ethnic trend that has become all the rage. Of course, you have to be careful to keep it simple so you don’t end up with a room that look too over the top, but your Chicago contemporary furniture dealer can help you choose what you need.

If you’ve collected pieces in your travels, this is the perfect way to showcase your favorites. Again, be careful not to overdo. Asian and African furniture have been in vogue lately, but you can find just about any flavor you want.

Your Chicago leather couch retailer can help you blend your traditional or contemporary pieces with your international pieces. Whether you want to simply have ethnic accents or go all out with Chinese tables or carved African chairs, stick to what you love.

Accent pieces can go a long way toward dressing up your room. If you love music, African drums and woodwind instruments can double as wall décor and even end tables or lamp bases. Bright Mexican tea sets can be a beautiful addition to a sitting room or kitchen,. Chicago leather couch buyers can easily complement their basic pieces.

Don’t’ forget about travel photos. Whether they are beautiful landscapes, cultural commentaries or just posed shots with friends, they can be framed and mixed into your room. If you have a favorite photo, why not have it enlarged on canvas and make it a focal point?

Elegance rules when it comes to this type of décor and clutter is a no-no. If you have several collections of items and it’s just too much, consider scattering them throughout your home in strategic locations or change out your collections with the seasons.

Chicago contemporary furniture buyers can find all the help they will need to pull off an ethnic theme from the designers at Walter E. Smithe. Let them know what your vision is, what you collection includes and they can help you pull it all together.

Have a room that’s just feeling a bit blah? Try a touch of color. This is the most affordable way to give any room a fresh look. You can paint an accent wall, the entire room, or even some of the furniture to get a pop of color and an updated atmosphere.

Your Chicago leather couch retailer not only has leather pieces in a variety of colors, but wood furniture in color finishes as well. If you don’t have any pieces you can paint – avoid the Chippendale chairs and the buffet your great-grandmother brought from the old country – Walter E. Smithe has beautiful color selections in every style.

Of course, painting the room can add a bold splash of color or just warm up a space. Think about your furnishings and the look you want to achieve before choosing a paint color. It’s not a bad idea to take some swatches of fabric from the room or an accent piece when you go to buy your paint.

Chicago office furniture buyers also should consider color to be a friend. Just because it’s an office doesn’t mean it has the look and feel like one. Whether you’re choosing décor for a home office or your business, think about how many hours you’ll spend in the space how you would like to feel while you work.

You can even go for a lighter touch with some stenciling. This can work in a traditional setting or with contemporary lines. You can stencil anything in any color and it’s inexpensive and easy to change when you’re ready to move on to another look. You can even paint a floor that’s not worth refinishing and really brighten a room.

But whether you seek Chicago leather couches in colors or just a bright accent on the wall, it’s all about what you like. Don’t copy the latest trend if it’s not your style and you won’t be comfortable in that room. If you tend to waffle in your design style, visit the experts at Walter E. Smithe for some advice.

Reflecting your personal style is paramount since you have to live with the space every day. Your Chicago office furniture store will help you find that style and build on it with beautiful layers of color.

Soon it will be time to deck the halls and light the menorah or Christmas tree. Many of us have a traditional spot for the tree and decorations that have claimed their spot year after year. Others prefer to mix it up with different color schemes and themes every year.

Whatever your preference for holiday decorating, you probably want the end result to be a comfortable atmosphere that add to the festive air of your entertaining and the joy of everyday living. Your Chicago contemporary furniture dealer can help you add furniture pieces or even accentuate with holiday fabric for drapes or throw pillows.

Comfortable seating is a must any time of year and Walter E. Smithe is a favorite for Chicago leather couch buyers. Bright colors or traditional leather hues can all be dressed up for the holidays and help transform your home into party central.

Adding holiday glitz can be more difficult in you decorate with lots of printed fabrics and upholstery, but solid accents in traditional holiday colors like red or gold can lend that special touch. Rearranging furniture also can help create a better flow for large gatherings or make room for a holiday display or Christmas tree.

Grouping your seating is also a fun was to get everyone talking while keeping them comfortable at an office party or family get-together. Chicago contemporary furniture buyers count on the designers at Walter E. Smithe to help create the perfect set-up.

Lighting can also be a big factor in showing off your rooms and accenting your holiday décor. Use lamps and even globed candles at varying heights to give a warm, intimate feel to your home. For large gatherings you should avoid open flames and uncovered candles as a safety precaution.

Your Chicago leather couch dealer has a stocking full of ideas for your holiday decorating and can help you with gift ideas as well.